Thursday, July 17, 2025

God Loves You

By Kay Heitsch

God loves you. He wants you to succeed. He wants the best for you. ~ Norman V. Peale
It may be hard to believe that God loves each and every one of us. But He does. He wants us to succeed, and He wants the very best for us.
Our Bible verse says. God loved the world this way: He gave His only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not die but will have eternal life. John 3:16 GWT
There you have it! God loved the world and everyone in the world. Jesus came, died, and rose again, so that all of us who believe in Him, and what He's done for us, will not die, but will have eternal life with Him. Now that is love!
God loves you! He wants you to succeed. He wants the best for you.

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

55 ~ The Positive Thinking Seminar

By Kay Heitsch

The Positive Thinking Seminar
I never in my wildest dreams ever thought I would receive such an award.
My parents had both died, so I called Aunt Carmeleta. Let me tell you, she was excited.
Ric explained that I could bring a guest. Bill couldn't go, so Aunt Carmeleta was thrilled that I asked her to come along with me.
I called my friend, Ann, who lived in Michigan, and told her the news. Ann said she was going to fly to Atlanta to be there.
The morning of the Positive Thinking Seminar, Ann and I discovered that we were both wearing almost identical suits.
We both had hot pink jackets. However, my skirt was black, but Ann's skirt was dark blue. What were the odds of that? We all had a laugh.
We rode down the elevator with some professional football players. Boy, those guys were huge.
Once we walked into the auditorium, we found some seats in the back. All of a sudden, a guy came up and called me by name. I didn't know him, but I found out it was Ric. Ric recognized me from the picture I had sent.
Ric asked what we were doing sitting in the back. He then ushered Aunt Carmeleta and Ann right down to the front row. The next thing I knew, Ric brought me up on the platform. I sat down. Oh my gosh, this was unreal!
The next thing I knew, I saw Dr. and Mrs. Peale walk up on the platform and sit down. Dr. Peale looked down my way. He pointed his finger at me and said, "I know you!"
I immediately jumped out of my seat and ran over to give them both a big hug.
I didn't care what anyone thought. Dr. Peale's books had changed my life. He introduced me to a better way of living through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I had to hug him!
I'll never forget this wonderful experience. Dr. Peale and everyone involved with the Peale Center were humble, kind, and loving. I'm forever thankful God brought them into my life.

Because Christ Lives In Us

By Kay Heitsch

I heard a message today that got my attention.
We should focus on the fact that God's Holy Spirit dwells within us. Our focus should be on all the good things that Christ brings and what He says about us. A few things that Christ living in us are that we are unique, special, Lovely, Precious, Strong, and chosen.
This is not about how wonderful we are on our own. Any good thing people see in us is because of Jesus Christ. That being said, we are equipped to work the plan God has for us through Christ!
Our Bible verse says. I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective and powerful because of your accurate knowledge of every good thing which is ours in Christ. Philemon 1:6 AMP
When we focus on what Christ brings when He lives in us, we can share our faith more effectively and with power. Because it's not us but Christ living in us. I truly believe this!

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

54 ~ God Had A Better Plan

By Kay Heitsch

I was thrilled to hear that a Positive Thinking Seminar was scheduled for June 14-15 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Since we lived in Ohio, this would be the perfect opportunity for me to see Dr. Peale in person.
I put this pamphlet on the counter in the kitchen and prayed that if it were the Lord's will, I would be able to attend the conference in Cincinnati.
The Cincinnati seminar came and went, and I wasn't able to attend. Let me tell you, I was very disappointed.
A few weeks later, I received another phone call from Ric. He had some great news!
Ric told me that after Dr. Peale received my follow-up letter, he wanted to give me his Norman Vincent Peale Award.
This award will be presented to me at the Positive Thinking Seminar in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 20-21. I was in shock!
Along with me, Dr. Peale would be giving this award to General Colin Powell and Angel Wallenda. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
Ric asked me to send a picture of myself for the magazine cover. I don't like having my picture taken, but Ric insisted.
After our phone call, I found the pamphlet. I looked and, right under the Cincinnati, Ohio seminar, was the Atlanta, Georgia seminar. I had never noticed Atlanta, Georgia, because I was so focused on Cincinnati.
What was truly amazing was that our last foster children had left. I was free to go. Additionally, my flight and hotel expenses were also covered.
You know I prayed for Cincinnati, but God had a better plan.

What Better Place To Be

By Kay Heitsch

I'm just out here trusting God. ~ Trusting God Quotes ~
I don't know a better place to be than living our lives trusting God. I lived many years without trusting God, so I can see the difference. Life can be tough, but trusting God certainly helps all along the way.
Our Bible verse says. In You, Lord my God, I put my trust. Psalm 25:1
It's a choice we make. To put our trust in God or not. For me, I choose to trust God.
I'm just out here trusting God.

Monday, July 14, 2025

53 ~ The Next Letter

By Kay Heitsch

I wasn't expecting the Peale Center to stay in touch after they published my letter In Loving Memory of Todd, but they did.
Ric, Dr. Peale's editor, and Ann, his assistant, called me every so often. They always asked what was going on in my life.
You never know what foster children may bring into your home.
When Ric called this week, I had been dealing with scabies and pink eye. I was stripping beds, washing towels and clothes, spraying Rid on the furniture and interior of the van, and rubbing cream on everyone. I also put drops in for the pink eye. To top it off, we had to make another trip to Michigan on the weekend.
Ric was a single guy. I don't think he had any idea how much work it would be to deal with all of this when he asked if I would write Dr. Peale another letter.
Ric explained this would be a follow-up letter telling Dr. Peale what had been going on since my last letter. They wanted to publish it.
I reminded Ric I was not a professional writer. Also, In Loving Memory of Todd, I wrote it so fast that I didn't even feel I was writing it. Ric ignored my excuses and said he would expect my letter on Monday.
I let Ric know if this was something the Lord wanted me to do, I'm sure it would be there. If not, it wouldn't.
I set up the card table in our bedroom with our old typewriter on it. I put a sheet of paper in.
In between cleaning, spraying, washing, applying cream, cooking, and packing, I would type a few words that came to my mind.
Much to my delight, by Friday, the letter was ready, and I sent it to Ric for Dr. Peale.
Saturday morning, everyone was cleared up, and we headed for Michigan.
Time passed, I was pretty busy, and I forgot about the letter.

Words Matter

By Kay Heitsch

Words matter, especially the ones you speak to yourself. ~ Inspirational Motivation Quotes ~
It is so important how we think and how we talk to ourselves. We can build ourselves up or tear ourselves down with our words.
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. Proverbs 12:25 NIV
With our anxious thoughts, we can weigh ourselves down. But kind words can cheer us up. We can't always wait for someone else to cheer us up. We can help ourselves with our own kind thoughts.
Words matter, especially the ones you speak to yourself.

Sunday, July 13, 2025

52 ~ 2:00 AM Phone Call

By Kay Heitsch

When I answered the phone in the middle of the night, I was half asleep. I could hear someone sobbing on the other end of the line.
It took a few minutes for me to understand what was being said. But eventually the caller calmed down enough to talk.
Through sobs, I learned that someone at the hospital had given the caller my name. I suppose she looked up my number in the phone book.
Now this distraught mother shared why she was calling. She explained that she had been mowing the lawn with a tractor while holding her little boy. Somehow, he slipped off her lap, and she ran over him. Her precious son was dead.
Oh my God, help me! I didn't know what to say. This must be a nightmare. But I knew it wasn't.
During our conversation, I learned there was another child in the family. There was a little girl. Now I was told the day and time when this precious child's funeral would be. I knew I should attend.
Out of the blue, right before I went to the funeral, I thought I should stop by K-Mart and buy a stuffed animal. I bought a gift bag with tissue paper and put the toy inside.
When I walked into the funeral home, I spotted this little girl. I walked over and handed her the bag. Her sweet eyes lit up. It wasn't much, but I believe this little gift helped in some way.
This was a horrible tragedy, but once again, God gave me an idea of how to show His love and to also bring something good out of Todd's death.

God's Power

By Kay Heitsch

Never doubt what God can do! ~ Never Doubt God's Power Quotes
It's only natural for us to have some doubts about our ability, but we should never doubt God's power and what He can do.
In fact, I have found that our inability is a setup for God to show out strong in our lives.
Our Bible verse says. Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 NLB
When we know that God is at work in us, we know we never need to doubt His power to do more than we could ever ask or think.
Never doubt what God can do!

Saturday, July 12, 2025

51 - Show You Care By Being There

By Kay Heitsch

One Friday, while I was getting ready to go to Michigan for the weekend, the phone rang.
I didn't know the person who called. She explained that she had heard me give my testimony, and didn't know now she could go on if one of her children died. But now she could see there was hope.
We talked about her family. As I recall, there were 5 daughters, but only one son.
Monday morning, we were back from Michigan, and the phone rang again. It was the same mother, but she sounded different.
Much to my horror, she told me, through tears, that her only son had died in a car accident over the weekend. He was going to Florida and fell asleep driving.
I felt strongly I should go to the funeral home, but I was feeling apprehensive about it. A lot of emotions were going to be involved. I wondered how I would handle it. Finally, I decided to trust God and go to the funeral home.
I remember standing in a long line of people who knew the family who were there to show their love.
I didn't know anyone, including the mother, but somehow it didn't matter. I believed I was there to show God's love by being there.
I don't remember saying a word. I gave this grieving mother and her daughters a hug, letting them know I cared.
Words aren't crucial at these times. What's important is to show you care by being there.
Sometimes we can't be there in person. But sending a card, call, or private message will let the grieving person know you care.
Life isn't easy at times. But showing God's love and that you care is what's important.

I Am Helped

By Kay Heitsch

God is faithful, and He will take care of you if you trust Him. ~ God Will Help Us Quotes
I have found that when I stop overthinking things and put my complete trust in God, I am helped. I don't understand how it works, but I know from experience that it does.
Our Bible verse says. The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me. Psalm 28:7
The LORD will help us when we put our complete trust in Him. He is our strength and always takes care of us.
God is faithful, and He will take care of you if you trust Him.

Friday, July 11, 2025

50 - Wow

By Kay Heitsch

I left the lounge immediately after I shared my testimony that night. I was invited for refreshments, but I declined.
It was odd, but talking about Todd, his accident, and how God was bringing good out of it seemed to be helping me.
A few weeks later, I had another call from this same ladies' group. I learned that they were in charge of a sermon once a year and asked if I would be the speaker.
I suggested that Bill sing before I talked. They agreed, even though this service was supposed to be for only women.
I had never been in this church, so I didn't know how things were done.
That morning, I found out I had to walk down the middle aisle to the platform. I surprised people how fast I could make it up front. I heard some funny remarks later.
I didn't know what to expect. The church was full. Some men were bringing out folding chairs. They even ran out of bulletins.
Somewhere in my message, I expressed how God must have a sense of humor. Here I was, a woman who wouldn't sit in a pew, and now I was in the pulpit.
A woman came up to me and said, "You put the fear of God in me." She said she never wanted to be in the pulpit, so she planned on being in the pew.
If my memory is correct, Danyelle, our foster daughter, passed out some little cards I brought while we greeted people leaving the service. The cards read, What you are is God's gift to you. "What you become is your gift to God."
Bill's solo was a big hit! After the service, several people came up to Bill asking him to join their choir!
Bill did join their choir. Later, Shannon asked Bill to join the bell choir with her. He did. This was a good bonding experience for them.
Several months passed, and I was asked to help my friend, Ruth Ann, with the youth group at this church. I had many wonderful experiences being involved with the group.
Wow, God was working to help us heal from Todd's death and to bring many good things out of it.

Never Lose Hope

By Kay Heitsch

Stay strong. Have faith. Trust God. Keep believing. Never lose hope. ~ Inspirational Quotes ~
When we have faith, trust in God, and keep believing, we will stay strong and never lose hope.
No matter what happens, we know God has a good plan, and if one thing doesn't work out, He will reappoint us to something new.
Our Bible verse says. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV
Our God is the God of all hope! He will fill us with all joy and peace as we put our trust in Him.
Stay strong. Have faith. Trust God. Keep believing. Never lose hope.